Page 19 of Thief of Hearts

“I happen to know a handful of princesses, and I am not one of them.”

“That’s not really a choice you get to make,” he said. He stood up quickly and I found myself taking a step back. Not because I thought he would hurt me, but because the room was so tiny and I didn’t want to touch him accidentally.

“Would you like to know what it is I do for work?”

“Not really,” I said.

He laughed. “Perhaps I’ll just tell you my name and then you’ll be able to guess what it is I do.”

I dropped my scabbard and sword onto the cot. This was obviously important to him and I didn’t understand why.

“My name . . . is Autolycus.”

Chapter Seven

He stood there with his arms wide, playing to an invisible crowd. Was he expecting me to applaud? He had certainly made this into a grand production. “Is that supposed to mean something to me?” I asked.

Autolycus looked so offended that I had to press my lips together so I wouldn’t laugh. “Surely my name precedes me.”

“Never heard of . . .” My voice trailed off. I had heard that name a long time ago. But I couldn’t remember the context.

“King of thieves?” he added, as if that might jog something loose.

That was why I knew it! “You were the one who kidnapped the king of Ilion and immediately gave him up when the queen lit up her flaming sword!” I had laughed for a very long time when Lia told me that story.

“I didn’t kidnap him. He stumbled into our inn, and yes, I was planning on taking advantage of the situation by ransoming him, but I kept him safe. And I like my head being attached to my body, so I quickly led the queen to her beloved once she asked me oh so politely.”

Ha. Lia wouldn’t be capable of politeness if Xander was in danger. “You mean when she demanded his return and threatened to kill you.”

A smile lit up his features. “I have a feeling that to the queen, it is the same thing.”

It was a good thing that he had been clever enough to do as she said or else he wouldn’t be standing here now. “You are right about that.”

“Do you know the queen?”

“The king is my brother’s brother, which makes him and the queen family to me.” I wondered what Lia would say if I told her who I was sharing a room with.

“See? Definitely a princess.”

“And you’re what, a master thief?”

“That is what the ‘king of’ part implies,” he responded.

“So you worship Eramis like the Epirians?” I couldn’t keep the distaste out of my voice.

His eyes danced. “Who else would a thief worship besides the god of thieves?”

No wonder I’d initially assumed he was a pirate. He was a thief, and that was the same thing, just in a different location.

Shaking my head, I said, “Why would Sagaris invite the king of thieves to their tournament?”

“They didn’t. I liberated an invitation from someone on their way here.”

“And you read the rules in order to exploit them.”

“What other reason would anyone have to read a rule book?” He seemed awfully pleased with himself.

“Look, Autolycus—” I coughed to keep myself from laughing. “I’m not sure I can call you that. Lia told me the whole tale after it happened and it was one of the funniest things I’d ever heard. I’m afraid I’m going to laugh every time I say your name.”